There are no formal diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Bhutan. This means that Bulgaria does not have an Embassy in the Bhutanese capital city of Thimphu, and Bhutan does not have an Embassy accredited to Bulgaria in a third country. The Bulgarian Embassy in New Delhi, India, serves Bulgarian citizens in Bhutan.

As part of the cooperation between EU Member States in consular affairs, the Danish and the Austrian office are ready to provide assistance in case a major crisis should occur in Bhutan, such as a natural disaster, a plane crash or a bus accident, involving many European citizens. In such situations the diplomatic representations of these two countries will be ready to provide assistance to EU citizens, including Bulgarian citizens, with advice and coordination of the response with the Bhutanese authorities and the European embassies responsible for Bhutan in New Delhi or Bangkok.

Bulgarian nationals travelling to Bhutan are recommended to leave their contact information at the Embassy of Bulgaria in New Delhi, India.

Customs Regulations

You can import an unlimited amount of foreign currency into Bhutan. It is advisable to carry U.S. dollars and Euros in cash and traveller’s checks or credit cards.

The following items should be declared on entry: computers, mobile phones, video cameras or other electronic devices. On leaving the country, customs authorities will check if the equipment you imported is still available.

The following are prohibited from being imported into the country: weapons, ammunition, explosives, drugs, tobacco and tobacco products.

Attention! In Bhutan, the purchase and sale of tobacco products is prohibited, as is smoking tobacco. The smuggling of tobacco products is punishable under local law.

Severe penalties are imposed for the possession, use and trade in drugs.

The export of antiques and rare religious artefacts of artistic value is prohibited.

You can export an unlimited amount of foreign currency from Bhutan.

Local Laws

Bhutanis the only country in the world where smoking and any trade in tobacco products is prohibited.

Same-sex relations are illegal. Although there are no known cases of penalties imposed on this point, travellers to Bhutan should take the law into account, as well as the public sensitivity to such behaviour, and avoid ostentatious manifestations of homosexuality.

Road Travel

No peculiarities.

Health

It is especially important to maintain proper personal hygiene by washing your hands frequently. Wash fruits and salads thoroughly before eating them. Tap water can be consumed only when boiled. You are advised to drink bottled water only. It is a good idea to carry the most essential medicines in your luggage.

Climate

In the southern part of the country, where the climate is tropical, the monsoon season lasts from June to October. In the northern part, the climate is alpine. Due to Bhutan’s location high in the Himalayas, summer temperatures in the country do not exceed 17 to 18 degrees Celsius. Winters in Northern and Central Bhutan are severe, with minimum temperatures falling below -15 degrees Celsius.

Travel papers and visas

Bulgarian citizens can travel to Bhutan with their international passports if these are valid for at least six months from the date of entry.

Bulgarian citizens can apply for a visa online, through tour operators authorised by the Bhutanese government. Visa approvals are also received electronically and submitted on entry into the country, where the visa is physically applied.

Further information is available from the Bhutanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website HERE.

Attention! There are only two ways to legally enter Bhutan: by air, at the airport in Paro, or by road, at Phuentsholing on the border with India.

The Bhutanese state airline company Druk Air is the only airline operating flights to Bangkok, Calcutta, New Delhi, Dhaka, Gaia, Kathmandu and Yangon.

You are advised to travel to Bhutan by air. Group or individual travel to Bhutan should be organised by an authorised international or local tour operator. More details about travelling to Bhutan are available on website of the Tourism Council of Bhutan HERE.

There are no specific vaccine requirements on entry into Bhutan, except for yellow fever if the traveller is arriving from a yellow fever-infected area.

Excessive alcohol use causes additional strain on the body, which is already working at a reduced capacity.

Competitive service

Emergency Travel Document

In extreme cases, if their passport gets damaged, lost or stolen, Bulgarian citizens can apply for a temporary EU passport to the diplomatic representations of Austria or Denmark in the Bhutanese capital city Timphu.